, 1887-03-15
THE MEDALLION.

along the entire rea of the house.
Originally it had been separated into as
many parts as there were rooms, but
gradually these partitions had been torn
away and the balcony became a general
~thoroughfare by which we went to each
others rooms, always through the
windows. us there were no doors opening
upon it.
One cool autumn night there was a rap
at my window.
My visitor was n newcomer, who was
called Mr.. Harry by everybody. He was
n handsome fellow, tall and slim, with
finely cut features and small hands. His
dark complexion, his deep brown eyes,
his blue black curly hair, proclaimed him
of southern blood. He had a small ex-
quisitely shaped black mustache, which
heightened the delicate and refined ap-
pearance of his face.
His teeth were dazzlingfy white, and
showed as he talked or laughed.
He was rather reserved, l think, but
the coincidence of our needs that night
aroused an accidental sympathy between
us which afterward grew into a steadfast
friendship.
He told me that he was working in the
studio of a sculptor.
GIVE only n dilettanti sort of "A talent,
though" he added. but then l can
earn my living at it. And, besides, l
rather like to model Venuses, Phrynes
and Dianas.'
He told me that his immediate family
were all dead; that he had been brought
up in luxury, knew all the old aristo-
cratic people of the city, and that, as the
family estate melted away after his
fathers death, he had to cultivate his
one small talent to get bread. He told
this in the l~iveliest and did no
seem at all affected by the recital of the
downfall of the family fortunes. This
struck me as rather strange. / puzzled
over it from time to time, as our CONVEX
sation lapsed. AT last it flashed upon
me.
''You are in Lowell l exclaimed, 1--WE
found you outl'
perhaps | am" he replied with one
of his happy smiles, which showed his
beautiful white teeth. And then he
started up.
at is almost 2. It's time to go To
bed" He stretched out his hand and
took it.
.'What is really your namet' | asked
as he pressed my hand warmly.
Harry Caprelli. Good night"
From this time he was often i'll my
room and | in his. 1t was strangely fur
nishcd, for q number of costly and beau.
tiful curios presented a striking contrast
to the dingy furniture. which looked as il
it had passed through the hands of sew
eral owners. And there were several rich
end exquisite little things which betrayed
the touch of a lady's hand, such as an
portfolio with finely worked initials and 9
few other such things. On a little table
stood an exquisite Sevres vase, and in il
there was always a fresh yellow rose.
One evening Harry rushed into my
room.
''Do you want TO 60 to the theatre to-
night to hear tho new play?"
That was precisely what i did wan tc
do, but had thought it impossible because
of the low state of my finances.
why do you ask such a question: ]
replied.
well, get ready. Some n has sent
me Il couple of parquet seats"
We were 1901 off. In one of the boxes
l recognized Miss Harpleigh, who had
been pointed out to me the year before.
She resided in Washington, but usually
spent part of the season in New York.
She was wonderfully beautiful, and
seemed to be very gracious and charm
ing.
| watched her opera glasses follow the
rows of parquet seats back and forth.
She was evidently searching for some
one. Suddenly 5 the glass pointed
toward the spot where we sat it stopped
she appeared to have found the person
she was searching for. | looked about
ut Harry. His eyes were fixed on the
stage, 1t was impossible that she was
gazing ut the burly broker on the other
side of me. | blushed, us an instant
flush of vanity suggested the idea that
was the object of her attention. Soon
saw her take u yellow roso from the
bouquet she carried and slowly raise it tc
her lips. Involuntary l thought Of
Harry's vase, and turned toward him
q~uestioningly.
He quickly raised his eyes toward thu
galleries and Intellectually tried to appear
as if he had noticed the questioning lool
| gave him. But the lady still held tho
glass pointed toward us and pressed the
yellow rose to her lips. l noticed the
gentleman standing back of her bend {
trifle forward and follow the line of hei
vision. a slight scowl spread over his
features. He evidently recognized the
person she was looking at. and felt vim
dictive toward him. He leaned further
forward and said something to the lady,
She started. dropped the rose, and let the
glass fall into her lap. She sat still
moment, then shrugged her shoulder
slightly. and turned t talk with thost
next her. She did not again look dow
at the parquet.
After the curtain came down for tn,
first time | spoke to Harry in an indifferen'
way Of Miss Harpleigh and the gentle
man who paid her so much attention.
asked him il he knew who the man was
"Ycs.' he said, with n fierce sort o.
lrcyity, II know him; he is Walter
Herr.ck. and | should be sorry for tn,
woman who was attracted by him. HI
was once the bctrothed of my sister,
lie seemed disinclined to say any NOR
and ! did not urge him.
We had gone to the smoking roon